Russia is open and active in inter-country adoption. They have well-regulated legislation under which foreign agencies such as ours are accredited. Russia has proven to be the most consistently open and favorable to international adoption of all Eastern European countries over the past decades.

TIME FRAME

Our shortest adoption took 17 days, and our longest took two years. On average, a CHOC adoption, from submission of dossier to homecoming is completed in 6 to 12 months. From the day you agree to a proposal/invitation to the day you first hold your prospective child in your arms is usually 3 to 4 weeks.

TRAVEL

Parents should plan for 3 trips to Russia unless they are prepared for a minimum 6 week long second expedition. The first trip lasts about one week; its purpose being for parents to meet and bond with their prospective adoptive child. The second trip is to attend a court hearing where custody may be granted. Parents may choose to wait in Russia for the mandatory 30 day appeal period to pass. Alternatively, they may return home and travel a third time to obtain the adoption decree and related documents; and to bring their child home.

We can assist with all travel arrangements including visas, flights, accommodation, driver, interpreter, process coordination, shopping and touring, etc. Our Russian teams are with you every step of the process while you are there.

For further helpful facts about Russia and travel in Russia please click here.

REGIONS

Regions where CHOC are accredited to facilitate adoptions in Russia include (in alphabetical order):

• Bashkortostan
• Kazan
• Moscow Region
• Moscow City
• Nizhniy Novgorod
• Orenburg
• Perm
• St. Petersburg
• Tomsk

DOCUMENTS

Details of document requirements vary from place to place and can change on a day to day basis. It is our role to advise and assist with all document needs at each stage of the process.

PROCESS

The following represent the main steps parents generally take with us in the international adoption process from Russia. For a more detailed look, please ask for our information kit.

• Consult with us.
• Register with us.
• Complete a home study
• Apply for immigration sponsorship/citizenship for your prospective adoptive child
• Finalize your dossier.
• Forward your dossier to Russia.
• Wait for a proposal/invitation to travel.
• Obtain visas, arrange travel, schedule medical evaluation(s).
• Travel to meet and bond with child(ren) to be adopted.
• Return home and wait for a date in court.
• Travel to Russia to attend court.
• Wait for the expiry of the 30 day appeal period (either in Russia or at home)
• Register your child with the Russian authorities in Moscow.
• Attend at the Canadian Embassy in Moscow and obtain your child's travel documents.
• Submit post-placement reports for the next 3 years.
• Adopt Again!

process overview